‘Murder of Freedom of Expression’: Cong Slams Penguin India Over Sonia Memoir
"After all, what is this reason or pressure that prevents them from printing in India what is being printed worldwide? Mrs. Sonia Gandhi Ji's life is an example of sacrifice and dedication, " Congress leader said.
Update: 2026-08-28 12:31 GMT
New Delhi: Congress leaders on Friday lashed out at Penguin Random House India (PRHI) for not publishing Sonia Gandhi’s upcoming memoir in India, alleging that pressure was exerted on the publishing house to remove portions relating to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the RSS and “the occupation of Indian territory by China during Modi’s rule”.
The publisher, however, rejected reports that it had decided against publishing Belonging: A Journey of Love because the former Congress president refused editorial changes. PRHI said it was not the publisher of the book in India and maintained that it had remained “willing and keen” to publish it.
With Penguin India out of the picture, several publishers are now reported to be in the race for the Indian rights, with HarperCollins said to be close to finalising an agreement to publish and distribute the memoir in India.
The book is scheduled for worldwide release on November 10 through US publisher Alfred A. Knopf, an imprint of Penguin Random House, with an initial print run of 1,00,000 copies.
Reports earlier in the day said PRHI would not publish the memoir in India after Sonia Gandhi rejected certain “editorial changes and deletions” sought in a part of the manuscript.
Subsequent reports, citing people familiar with the discussions, said the disagreement involved passages relating to Modi, the RSS and Chinese intrusions into Indian territory. PRHI has not disclosed what changes it had sought and has disputed the suggestion that Gandhi’s refusal to accept editorial changes was the reason it was not publishing the book.
Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot accused the publisher of acting under pressure.
“Suppressing the book of Sonia Gandhi ji, a person of such stature, a senior leader of the nation, and former Leader of the Opposition, under pressure is tantamount to the murder of freedom of expression,” Gehlot said.
He alleged that pressure was put on Penguin India to remove portions related to Modi, the RSS and “the occupation of Indian territory by China during Modi’s rule”.
“This is the murder of democracy. Why is this truth being hidden from the people of India? Will the Modi government alter even the facts by pressuring publishers?” Gehlot asked.
PRHI, however, said reports that it had dropped the book because Gandhi refused editorial changes did not “accurately reflect the circumstances”.
“As a publisher, it is both our prerogative and our responsibility to fact check and provide authors with recommendations that are in the best interests of their books. This is a normal part of the publishing process,” it said.
The publishing house acknowledged that discussions had taken place but declined to disclose details.
“Throughout the relevant discussions, Penguin Random House India's position was that we remained willing and keen to publish the book. We will not comment further on confidential discussions with the author,” it said.
Reacting to the statement, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi termed it “weak”.
“Penguin India is more than happy to publish ‘Exam Warriors’ and several books on RSS. No doubt there are those in the BJP government who have now become afraid of a book being read by the people of India,” Gogoi said.
The Indian Youth Congress and Congress Seva Dal also targeted the publisher on social media, posting memes and accusing it of bowing to pressure.
The memoir traces Sonia Gandhi’s life from her childhood in post-war Italy and her relationship and marriage with Rajiv Gandhi to the assassinations of Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, her eventual entry into politics and her decision not to become Prime Minister after the Congress-led UPA's victory in the 2004 Lok Sabha elections.
While its international release remains scheduled for November 10, the publisher of the Indian edition has yet to be officially announced.
With Penguin India out of the picture, several publishers are now reported to be in the race for the Indian rights, with HarperCollins said to be close to finalising an agreement to publish and distribute the memoir in India.
The book is scheduled for worldwide release on November 10 through US publisher Alfred A. Knopf, an imprint of Penguin Random House, with an initial print run of 1,00,000 copies.
Reports earlier in the day said PRHI would not publish the memoir in India after Sonia Gandhi rejected certain “editorial changes and deletions” sought in a part of the manuscript.
Subsequent reports, citing people familiar with the discussions, said the disagreement involved passages relating to Modi, the RSS and Chinese intrusions into Indian territory. PRHI has not disclosed what changes it had sought and has disputed the suggestion that Gandhi’s refusal to accept editorial changes was the reason it was not publishing the book.
Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot accused the publisher of acting under pressure.
“Suppressing the book of Sonia Gandhi ji, a person of such stature, a senior leader of the nation, and former Leader of the Opposition, under pressure is tantamount to the murder of freedom of expression,” Gehlot said.
He alleged that pressure was put on Penguin India to remove portions related to Modi, the RSS and “the occupation of Indian territory by China during Modi’s rule”.
“This is the murder of democracy. Why is this truth being hidden from the people of India? Will the Modi government alter even the facts by pressuring publishers?” Gehlot asked.
PRHI, however, said reports that it had dropped the book because Gandhi refused editorial changes did not “accurately reflect the circumstances”.
“As a publisher, it is both our prerogative and our responsibility to fact check and provide authors with recommendations that are in the best interests of their books. This is a normal part of the publishing process,” it said.
The publishing house acknowledged that discussions had taken place but declined to disclose details.
“Throughout the relevant discussions, Penguin Random House India's position was that we remained willing and keen to publish the book. We will not comment further on confidential discussions with the author,” it said.
Reacting to the statement, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi termed it “weak”.
“Penguin India is more than happy to publish ‘Exam Warriors’ and several books on RSS. No doubt there are those in the BJP government who have now become afraid of a book being read by the people of India,” Gogoi said.
The Indian Youth Congress and Congress Seva Dal also targeted the publisher on social media, posting memes and accusing it of bowing to pressure.
The memoir traces Sonia Gandhi’s life from her childhood in post-war Italy and her relationship and marriage with Rajiv Gandhi to the assassinations of Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, her eventual entry into politics and her decision not to become Prime Minister after the Congress-led UPA's victory in the 2004 Lok Sabha elections.
While its international release remains scheduled for November 10, the publisher of the Indian edition has yet to be officially announced.